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Tape Recorder Flutter: Causes and Effects

The widespread use of tape recorders for experimental purposes makes it necessary to establish the motion characteristics of tape transport mechanisms. At the U.S. Navy Electronics Laboratory investigations have been made of a wide variety of magnetic tape recorders. Factors affecting their flutter performance have been checked to insure the best possible flutter performance in Laboratory experimental use. This paper reviews results obtained from measurements, and compares flutter in several types of tape transport mechanisms.